Raising Kids: Why It’s Important to Talk to Your Daughters

I’m going to be blatantly honest; I’m scared to death for Zakiyah. I’m scared of what this world might do to her. I’m scared it’s going to hurt her, shame her, push her down into the dirt, reject her, bully her, and so much more. This world now-a-days is a scary place for kids grow up in.

Now, just because I’m scared for her, doesn’t mean I’m not confident she doesn’t know how to handle those things, because Zac and I have raised her to breathe fire. I just hate the fact that I have to worry about these things, and specifically, at such a young age.

This is why it’s so important to talk to your kids and prepare them for what they may have to deal with. But, girls need a special kind of talk….and not about the birds and bees (just yet anyways) but about their beauty, and kindness, and what makes them unique and perfect in your eyes. But it’s more than just talking that needs to be done. Spending quality time with them and uplifting them from day one instills a type of confidence that cannot be supplemented any other way.

I remember ever since Zakiyah was born, Zac and I always told her “love love love” and that was one of her first phrases. Embed LOVE into their minds by being a good role model, being what you want them to be, being kind.

This may come across as common sense, and honestly I never gave it a second thought. But when Zakiyah started school and Aiyanna started middle school, I hear horror stories about name calling and kids being mean to each other and the school rarely does what needs to be done to end it. It is clear to me that bad behavior in a lot of households is not punished but rather ignored.

I don’t want this post to be a rant, but rather a reminder. A simple conversation and your undivided attention can make a world of difference in your kid’s lives. Teach them to be fearless, strong, independent, smart, and above all, loving.